The Celebrating Heroes Triathlon, TriColumbia's inspirational triathlon celebrating the birth of our nation's independence, and applauding the spirit of the American Hero, is just a few days away, on June 23rd. We've been hard at work preparing to make this, the 4th annual event, the best yet.

As of 6/17/13 at noon, the Centennial Lake water temperature was 80'F. Unless temperatures drop below 78'F, this will not be a wetsuit legal swim.

Packet Pickup will take place on Friday June 21st, and Saturday June 22nd at a new location, The Columbia Presbyterian Church located across Rt. 108 from the main entrance to the race venue, Centennial Park. We want to thank the Columbia Presbyterian Church community for welcoming us, and allowing us the use of their beautiful, newly renovated facility.

In order to eliminate long lines at bike racking, we strongly urge you to have your mandatory, free bike and helmet safety check done before the event, in the next few days at Princeton Sports in Columbia or Baltimore, instead of waiting until Saturday. Princeton Sports will also be on hand to conduct a flat tire clinic after each course talk at packet pickup. Be sure you know how to change a flat!

Please read the important information in this email and remember to download the 2013 Celebrating Heroes Triathlon Athlete's Guide, and other resources located on the Celebrating Heroes Triathlon webpage under "Key Race Info" and "Resources" to address questions or concerns you may have.

Read on for information about packet pickup, race day notes, bike racking, how to book a pre-race massage, and the brand new TriColumbia iPhone app.

If you need to speak to TriColumbia Staff on race day, please go to the TriColumbia Information Tent located near Swim Start.

AVOID THE CROWD AND GET YOUR BIKE CHECK DONE EARLY. Checks can be done any time from now until June 22nd at the Official Race Bike Support Shop, Princeton Sports, (410) 995-1894, 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 or or 6239 Falls Rd., Baltimore, MD 21209. No appointment is necessary. Princeton will be checking all major bike components to help ensure a safe bike leg. You must bring your CPSC-certified helmet and your race day bike. The age of your helmet does not matter as long as it is ANSI or CPSC approved ,and in good condition.

Also, be sure to learn how to change a flat tire. Princeton Sports will show you how. Just ask! Princeton Sports will conduct a flat tire clinic after each course talk (Friday at 5 pm and Saturday at noon and 5 pm). Be responsible for your own destiny. You've trained hard - Don't let a flat tire ruin your race!

You may also have your bike inspected at the race site prior to racking your bike in the Centennial Lake transition area beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 22nd, after you complete packet pickup. However, we strongly advise against waiting until the day before the race, as the lines tend to be long, the weather could be inclement, your bike could need parts unavailable at the park, or repairs could take longer than just a few minutes.

Please note that there is NO RACE DAY CHECK-IN/PACKET PICKUP. All registered entrants, including all relay team members, MUST attend packet pickup on Friday or Saturday in person. Per USAT rules, each participant MUST pick up her/his own packet. If you do not check in during the designated check-in times in person, you will not be able to participate in the event.

All participants, including youth (17 and under) must bring the following to packet pickup:

A photo ID

USAT membership card to show proof of annual membership unless you purchased one-day USAT event insurance at the time you registered for the event.

Special Notice Regarding USAT membership cards for check-in

Athletes MUST bring proof of annual USAT membership or purchase one-day USAT event insurance. Failure to do so will disallow participation in the race. (Athletes may have purchased one-day event insurance at the time of registration. Staff will have a list of those one-day USAT participants at check-in.) Athletes who forget their USAT membership card will have the following options:

There will be parking at Centennial Park in the immediate grass area adjacent to MD Rt. 108 across from the Transition Area. Please plan to arrive early on Sunday morning to find suitable parking. If someone will be driving you to the venue, they MAY NOT stop in the driving lane to drop you off. There is also parking in the neighborhood across the street from the main entrance to Centennial Park, however PLEASE obey the no parking signs that will be posted, and only park in other areas.

There is an overflow lot available which can be accessed via the North Entrance. Tall light towers mark this lot. Once parked, take the 10 minute walk along the running path beside the lake to the transition area.

Please do not park in driveways, on private property or in church parking lots adjacent to the park.

The park will reopen to vehicular traffic at 11:30 AM, so if you park within the park, you may not leave until 11:30 AM. Centennial Park closes at dusk. You MAY NOT park overnight on Saturday in Centennial Park.

Mandatory Pre-Event Bike Racking

All bikes must be racked on Saturday ONLY at the Transition Area in Centennial Park between the hours of 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. To enter transition for racking you must be wearing the security wristband received at packet pick up. Please note that the transition area is RESTRICTED TO ATHLETES ONLY. Any accompanying friend, spouse, parent or child WILL NOT BE ALLOWED into the transition area. Please make appropriate arrangements to have children supervised while you are racking your bike. Once racked, your bike cannot be removed. Full security is provided overnight. NO exceptions!

TriColumbia and EnduraFit are pleased to present a revolutionary product, The Rack Jacket, an alternative to using trash bags to cover your bike. We fully embrace the "leave no trace behind" concept, and strive to eliminate litter produced at our events. You may also use an old swim cap to over your bike seat if you like. The Rack Jacket is the essential item for those of you who wish to protect your bike from the elements.

EnduraFit is also excited to announce two new Rack Jacket products that are designed for use on your bike while on your car rack. These products are able to withstand any highway speeds over long or short distances, and are available for pre-order immediately. Both of these products are designed to keep moisture and road grime off of your bikes. Check them out at www.therackjacket.com

Post-Race Athlete FoodAfter crossing the finish line, you will be presented with a handsome finisher's medal, and are invited to proceed to the Celebration Village at the top of the hill to enjoy refreshments provided by David's Natural Market located in the Athlete's Food Tent. Please ask your family and fans to respect that food in the Food Tent is for athletes only. Food vendors will be on site by the boat rental area to provide spectator refreshments.

Post-Race MassageTriColumbia will provide complementary massages on a first come, first served basis. Sports massages will be executed by BodyMason Performance Therapy. The massage tent will be located near the Food Tent.

AwardsThe Awards Ceremony will begin at approximately 11:00 am at the post race celebration. Please note that the results posted at the event are for time purposes only and will not reflect Award Results. Those entered in the Athena or Clydesdale divisions may be required to weigh in to verify their eligibility at packet pick up and at the event. There may be challenges by other athletes at the Awards Ceremony.

Thanks as well to our community supporters and volunteers including Howard County Police, Howard County Fire and Rescue, Howard County Recreation and Parks, Howard County General Hospital, and all our charity team, Tri Club and community partners who help make the event great!

Road Condition and Course Update

The Celebrating Heroes bike course has changed from years past. It is your responsibility to know the course. Please take the time to download the course map under Key Race Information on the Celebrating Heroes webpage and familiarize yourself with the race course.

As many are aware, Route 108 has been experiencing road construction recently. There may be lingering uneven pavement surfaces on Rt.108. Updates will be provided at the course talks on Friday and Saturday. As always, please use caution while competing, and please drive the course to be sure you fully know the route and conditions.

Bodymason Performance Therapy

In addition to providing massages on race day complements of TriColumbia, Bodymason will be in attendance during packet pickup hours to provide athlete paid sports massage services and will be hosting a "Cut the Line" raffle for their post race services on Sunday.

Pre-race massage pricing will be $45 for a 30 minute session. You may schedule and pre-pay for your sessions via e-mail to team@bodymason.com. Walk-up clients will also be welcome on a first come first served basis as spaces are available.

"Cut the Line" raffle tickets will be available at the Bodymason table during packet pick-up. $1 - 1 entry $5 - 6 entries $10 - 15 entries. They will be awarding 5 "Cut the Line Passes" for our post race sessions on Sunday. Winners will be notified via text message and announced prior to Sunday's race start.

Often participants become involved in endurance events as a way to overcome an obstacle, cope with a loss, provide a role model, forward a cause, or as a way to change their lives for the better. Why did you become involved? Where do you find your strength to compete? Do you race for a cause? How has your participation in endurance events changed your life? If you would like to share your story and inspire others, please send us an email with your inspirational story.

Reed Carter, a 28 year-old man with autism spectrum disorder, will be competing as part of a relay team representing Team Embrace, which supports The Arc of Howard County. This is the fourth year that he has been a member of Team Embrace. His love of swimming and running has made him a good candidate for team participation in triathlons.

When questioned about why he likes being a part of Team Embrace Reed said, "It is fun for me. It is something new. I make good friends. I get excited being with other athletes and I like my teammates. I feel energetic when I get out of the water and I feel great when I cross the finish line."

Reed's parents, Karen and Gary Carter, are thrilled that their son is able to compete in community events like the Celebrating Heroes Triathlon without being restricted by his disability. He feels warmly accepted by the entire team, and cherishes the friendships that he has made. This event has increased his confidence, his endurance, and enhanced his self-esteem. Reed is proud to tell others about being a Team Embrace member and about competing in a triathlon. His abilities are recognized, supported, and appreciated by Team Embrace. Team Embrace's attitude and purpose embody the spirit of Columbia and reflect the dignity and worth of all human beings.

We wish Reed and all those who race for a cause or to overcome a personal obstacle, the best of luck at Sunday's race!

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Congratulates Athletes

As a proud sponsor of the 2013 Celebrating Heroes Triathlon, as well as The Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon, the Columbia Triathlon and the Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon, The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School congratulates all triathletes for their dedication to this challenging sport

Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink designed to sustain hydration during prolonged training and racing when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant, and will be served along the Celebrating Heroes Triathlon course. It contains nearly twice the sodium (200mg) and more than three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to help sustain hydration, maintain proper fluid balance and replace the critical electrolytes lost in sweat during these occasions.

TriColumbia is excited to announce TriSpies as our Official Mobile Content Partner. As busy athletes, we know that many of you get news and information from your mobile devices. We've partnered with TriSpies to create the TriColumbia mobile app providing event news, course information including maps and videos, race schedules and information, live race day updates, photos, and results. Through the app you can share content with Friends on Facebook and Twitter, and opt-in to get timely alerts and notifications. Download the app today from the iTunes App Store.

Later this year, TriSpies will be launching their first mobile training app, providing virtual video training on actual race courses. Imagine training on the EagleMan flats or the Columbia Tri hills on cold, wet, wintery days from the comfort of your home or local gym. TriSpies course videos embedded with GPS data will allow you to do just that!

Follow All The Excitement On Race Day With TriColumbia TriLights, Facebook and TriColumbia TriSpies

Once again, TriColumbia will be live blogging all the race excitement. Friends and family can follow the race on our website. Go to Tricolumbia.org, and click on the TriLights Drop Down under the News tab. Mobile users can follow along using the TriSpies App or check out the TriColumbia Facebook page for updates as well.

Please Respect The Area And Thank Our Volunteers

PLEASE respect both the environment and the areas that this event travels through. Do not drop trash anywhere other than aid stations and use the portable toilets, not the neighborhoods. The County and TriColumbia take pride in the designation of Centennial Park as a, "leave no trace" park. Help us to maintain this special facility. We encourage you to use trash receptacles and to take your trash with you when you leave the park in order to protect the environment.

Remember, the use of profanity or disrespect of any staff, volunteers or other officials who are there to assist you can be grounds for a USAT official to disqualify you - this includes packet pick up and the bike racking stages.

And don't forget to thank the many enthusiastic volunteers stationed throughout the race course and venue. Our volunteers are comprised of many charity and community groups as well as individuals who simply enjoy helping out. We would be unable to provide events such as this one without their capable assistance! If you would like to help out with this or any of our other events, simply visit our website and let us know.